Hoping for Home: From Brooklyn to Haiti (By Way of New Orleans and Harlem)

“Haiti has no debt with Venezuela — on the contrary, it is Venezuela that has a historic debt with Haiti,” –Hugo Chavez, President, Venezuela

I am considered dyaspora because I am Haitian American, born in Brooklyn to Haitian parents. But Haiti is my home. Although the last time I visited I was in diapers, Haiti has always held a special place in my heart. It is the birthplace of my parents, my ancestral homeland, the site of the first free Black republic. As Hugo Chavez attested, Haiti has served as an inspiration and provided hope for many generations of revolutionaries and freedom fighters, for those who wanted to believe in the impossible, like those slaves who first took up arms to battle a seemingly indomitable opponent.

But history has not been kind to Haiti. To the majority, it is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, ravaged by corrupt or inept leaders. It is a lawless state, at the bottom of the order of civilized societies. The scenes of despair in Haiti continue to break my heart and create a sense of urgency that I haven’t felt since Hurricane Katrina. Haiti, my home, and its wonderful, courageous residents must be supported and we must tell a different story. It has taken me a while to finally be able to write because my pain runs deep. I’ve felt helpless these last few weeks, as the news reports broadcasted story after story of the colossal devastation. For so many years, my dream has been to be able to step foot on Haitian soil. Now that I have a young daughter, that dream is extended to having the opportunity to see Haiti with my family. I will never give up on Haiti. The earthquake and the wonderful global response to aiding the country demonstrates the love many have for Haiti and its resilient people.

The Great Earthquake has killed hundreds of thousands, destroyed many cultural artifacts and thousands of homes, while utterly devastating a proud nation. It has not, however, been able to destroy the spirit and drive of the Haitian citizenry. Haiti will be rebuilt. It will not be like New Orleans, forgotten once the flood waters fully receded and the levees reconstructed. There are thousands who have not been able to return to New Orleans, usually poor Black people, and yet most people believe that things are back to normal. It will not be like Harlem, slowly but surely gentrified to the point of diluting its historical importance as a bastion of Black culture. For far too long, Haiti has been written off as a failed state, expatriates constantly lamenting its sorry condition, resigned to leaving their memories behind, sorely disappointed by constantly having dreams deferred.

The history of Haiti is steeped in trauma, to the extent that its citizens even begin to expect it. Even the brief hope developed by the Aristide presidency has since deteriorated into accusations of betrayal and theft. But Haiti will rise again. This time, the difference is that its dyaspora need to return home, those who left for better lands, must come back to build a new, never before seen Haiti. Those native born Haitian professionals should contribute their technical skills. Their children, now professionals themselves, must donate their time and expertise. The Haiti that I have always dreamed about, not the Haiti that the U.S. and its corporate allies wish to create, will inspire hope. It will be a Haiti of infrastructure, of sustainable commerce, with dignified employment opportunities for its residents. Haiti needs to be supported not exploited. Unfortunately, even in the midst of such a tragedy, there are those who intend to profit from it and savage the carcass of a fallen country. From overzealous missionaries trafficking children to black marketers gouging their neighbors for foodstuffs to the IMF drawing up draconian terms for providing Haiti with financial support, many have already set out to benefit at the expense of the Haitian people.

The dyaspora and our allies must write a different history, one of hope, not despair, of dreams, not trauma, of resurrection, not death. Haiti will know peace not war. The world will recognize the truth about Haiti, especially its beauty and its significant contribution to our global story. We must not leave it in the hands of the U.S., which has a poor record of rebuilding countries, usually choosing to co-opt the indigenous leadership and engaging in paternalistic, destructive behavior. It will be a protracted struggle which must go beyond donations and relief efforts. While money and aid are definitely needed, the rebuilding of Haiti will need long term human capital commitment. It will be done for love of country, for love of Haiti, for love of humanity. I believe it can be accomplished. My daughter will know the Haiti I never had a chance to see, and we will kiss the soil together, and enjoy the sunset in this brilliant and marvelous country I call home.

Why We Need More Super-leaders not Superheroes

As a child, I always loved superheroes. Through comic books and Saturday morning programs, I could escape into another world. DC Comics. Marvel. Superfriends. For a while, Superman was my favorite. He was a strong, All American male, handsome with super strength, X-ray vision and Lois Lane. He had it all, at least from my perspective as a chubby, nerdy, bespectacled Haitian kid from Queens. However, as I grew older, I felt that Batman was more of a figure with whom I could relate. Although a millionaire, Bruce Wayne was just a human with no superpowers but a slew of innovative weapons. I wasn’t a mutant, so I knew I could never be Wolverine or any other of the X-Men. The odds were slim that a radioactive spider would bite me, so becoming Spider-man was also out of the question. But Batman, I thought, could be within my reach. I just needed to be innovative and to work to develop tools for my success. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts to create my version of the Batbelt, I never became Batman. But something magical happened. I realized that I didn’t need to become a superhero to enjoy my world. Rather, I just had to utilize my imagination and I would be able to bring some of my fantasies into the real world. I could make an impact through my writing and my every day actions. I could be a leader.

The hysteria about Michael Jackson’s death and the recent dismay about Tiger Woods’s so-called “transgressions” has brought into sharp focus our society’s obsession with idolatry and with superheroes, usually manifested in the form of celebrities. My thesis is that we could do a lot better if we were seeking, or better yet trying to become, super-leaders not superheroes. Whenever I heard a parent talk about how disappointed his or her child was about Tiger Woods, I cringed. Tiger Woods and any athlete should be celebrated for their athletic abilities. However, that is where it should end. In my opinion, Tiger Woods or any other celebrity should never be a role model for any child. When I was younger, I had posters of my favorite basketball players on my bedroom wall. From Hakeem the Dream to Patrick Ewing to Clyde Drexler, I admired their athletic prowess. But I was clear that they were not my role models. I might try to copy their moves on the basketball court, but I never considered them persons I wanted to emulate. My parents instilled in me the desire to achieve academically and to create my own successes. I was not celebrity-struck because my parents were not celebrity-struck. This notion of celebrity obsession was foreign to me. Logically, it never made sense to me. Watching people faint at the sight of another human being, as often happened when Michael Jackson was in public, was silly and embarrassing to me. “He is just a man,” I would think.

But I recognize that something is missing in many peoples’ lives. Rather than taking control of their own lives and becoming super-leaders, they spend their time being more concerned about the lives of others, namely celebrities. What are Brad and Angelina up to today? Where did Britney go last night? Who is TMZ following now? Frankly, who cares? Psychologically, I understand the dynamic. People love escapism. Celebrity gossip allows them to leave their perceived mundane existence. It gets them excited. It allows them to dream about other realities. It makes for great water-cooler, and in this generation, wonderful Facebook chatter. I understand guilty pleasures and don’t begrudge people their desire to let their brains vegetate for a minute. I also recognize that many of us need superheroes, people who we can look up to, who we can aspire to be, who give us hope for greater things and comfort about infinite possibilities. However, I worry that too many children are growing up wanting to be Miley Cyrus rather than Cyrus the Great (minus the issues of violent conquest).

The recent and relatively unnoticed death of Mr. Percy Sutton illustrates the contrast between super-leaders and superheroes. Percy Sutton was a super-leader, a pioneer. He was a Tuskegee Airman, served as legal counsel for Malcolm X, was a New York State Assemblyman and a one time Manhattan Borough president. He went on to co-found Inner City Broadcasting, which featured WLIB and WBLS in New York City, and also invested in the New York Amsterdam News and the Apollo Theater. While not perfect (and none of us are), he inspired many to become leaders, and paved the way for the first (and only) Black mayor of New York City the Honorable David N. Dinkins. Super-leaders, like Percy Sutton, are real and they work, not only for their benefit, but for the good of others. Superheroes, like Tiger Woods and other celebrities, are socially constructed idols, admired for their individualistic accomplishments, and placed on never to be touched pedestals. But, unfortunately, they are not real.

While Michael Jackson’s passing touched me because it signaled the loss of a particular time of my youth, those carefree Off the Wall and Thriller days, the death of Percy Sutton has impacted me even more and made me recognize the urgency for me to step up and to be a super-leader. As a new father, I especially worry about how my daughter will be influenced by our celebrity-obsessed culture and how to shield her appropriately from it. So, while I don’t suggest that we need to permanently give up our superheroes, I believe that we could benefit from more super-leaders. Without getting on a soapbox (or maybe it’s too late for such a disclaimer), I resolve to use my Batmobile for good while attempting to change the world.

Obama: Passion vs. Arrogance

God forgive me for my brash delivery
But I remember vividly
What these streets did to me
So picture me
Lettin these clowns nitpick at me- Jay Z “What More Can I Say?”

Danny, I like the Guru comparison, but I would take it a step further. Guru was too underrated to be Obama. Obama is really the Jay-Z of politics. Lyrical. Smooth. Never rattled. Ice cold. Possessing a large, cross-sectional fan base. Seemingly above the fray. He needs that smoothness and cool demeanor given the vitriolic nature of the healthcare debate and his Tea Party agitators. So, I surely appreciate him trying to take the high road. On the other hand, I want to clarify the notion of passion. I would never debate that Obama can deliver soaring rhetoric. He has the grand speech thing down pat. But speeches don’t effectively change people’s lives unless there is a movement or policy changes linked to them. I most definitely want Obama to succeed but I must also objectively critique his strategies and tactics. The passion thing is based on the data. I will not question his toughness. Folks know his history in Chicago and the fact that he was willing to bare knuckles to get things done. But when I discuss passion, I am really talking about commitment to some core values and principles, which are consistently demonstrated. Is it to his party? Evidently not. Exhibit A. A weak yet loyal Democratic candidate runs for mayor in New York City. Rather than using some political capital to strongly support Bill Thompson, which would have cost him nothing, he gives one of the weakest endorsements possible. Why? Clearly Obama did not want to upset Bloomberg and his deep pockets. I would rather he just say, “Mayor Bloomberg is an ally, and I wish to remain neutral in this race.” But no, he plays both sides of the fence, giving an innocuous endorsement which faintly demonstrates party loyalty, but allows him to save face with Bloomberg. It wasn’t about whether or not Thompson was a loser but rather about commitment to your party, which I guess doesn’t mean much to Obama. Some would argue that Obama did not want to get involved in local politics but clearly he felt it important enough to sandbag poor David Paterson (I’m not his fan but clearly he deserved a little bit more love) and to try to save a sinking Gov. Corzine in New Jersey. Worse yet, now it has been revealed that Bloomberg used his influence to keep Obama on the sidelines.

That is a microcosm of the Obama way. Play the middle. Passion? Is it to ending the war in Afghanistan? Nope. Clearly not yet ready to make a decision on that yet. Hasn’t articulated a strategy for getting out, and what exactly we are doing there now. Still searching for Bin Laden? Trying to prop up a corrupt Karzai administration? Hmmm, a cliffhanger. Is it to get American workers employed again? No, he has just gotten around to announcing a jobs summit after months of reports by economists that unemployment would hit double digits (and it is definitely way higher since the way unemployment is calculated is akin to nutritional information on junk food, the smallest number the better). Now comes word that the major stimulus plan component, green jobs, are primarily going overseas.

I think the passion that some talk about is really Obama’s own grandiosity, like any other narcissistic politician. Quite honestly, Obama and his advisers, as Bush would say, misunderestimated Obamamania and the amount of political capital he possessed. They talked about having healthcare wrapped up before the Congressional recess in August. He tackled healthcare because he believed that his charm would overwhelm both his Republican critics and his party dissidents. Obama knew it would be a remarkable legacy. But he was wrong about the power of his charm offensive. It was pure arrogance. There will be no true bipartisanship on this bill, and he was even unable to wrangle his own party’s rabble-rousers. Despite that reality, the healthcare bill will be a major achievement. And he should indeed receive credit for such a historical accomplishment. Since I understand that he probably wanted to take advantage of his majority in both Houses to pass this bill, it was a strategic move. But the most pressing issue was unemployment. I have been talking for some time about the fact that the administration needs to spur job creation. Folks who are unemployed will not have to worry about health insurance because they won’t be able to afford it. Climate change? Probably not the most salient concern for someone trying to just pay the rent. Constantly extending unemployment benefits will not stimulate the economy or really help those who are not working. Folks who can collect unemployment for two years will not necessarily be that willing to consume. Rather they are just trying to keep hope alive and their heads above water. Obama and his advisers understand that to create jobs, you either need to convince private employers to wholeheartedly invest in American workers (not a good bet) or to have the government develop a major WPA-type initiative to get people working (probably too socialist for them and a massive undertaking). So, again, as difficult as healthcare reform has historically been, his ego convinced him that it was easier than job creation.

Obama can be Cool Hand Luke all he wants but appearances matter. I am not asking him to be fire and brimstone all the time. But I am asking for him to not be so scripted and staged. Michelle seems to be his realness and moral compass. It’s the psychology of it. What worked during the campaign (i.e. grand ideas and promises) will not work as a sitting president, if there is no substance. The Clinton comparisons will continue because he hired all the usual suspects rather than bringing new energy and a different perspective to the White House. Rahm Emanuel? Really? If you want to ever see an example of Good Cop (Obama), Bad Cop (Emanuel), there it is. I will give him credit where it is due but I would also like his fervent supporters to be willing to admit his missteps and flaws. I know my politics are indeed much to the left of him, so I don’t ever expect to fully agree with Obama on a lot of things. Yet I am open to supporting him when there seems to be common ground, and I will continue to call him out when I feel it necessary.

“It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.” – Frederick Douglass

Hip Hop…for Grown Folks!

I might’ve failed to mention that this chick was creative
But once the man got to her, he altered her native
Told her if she got an energetic gimmick
That she could make money, and she did it like a dummy
Now I see her in commercials, she’s universal
She used to only swing it with the inner-city circle….- I Used to Love H.E.R. (Common)

When Nas said hip hop was dead, at the time, I tended to agree with him. I believed that my long love affair with hip hop, for me as a thirty-something professional male, was winding to a sad conclusion. Too much Soulja Boy! Way too many novelty acts and mediocre music! I felt like an old curmudgeon, complaining about these “kids” ruining “my music.” I didn’t know hip hop anymore. She and I had grown apart. So I resigned myself to reminiscing about our past good times together, which meant loading my Ipod with old De La Soul, Nas, Wu-Tang, Biggie, and Jay-Z. I felt Common’s pain, and I would need to move on like he did. My mourning period would be quick but probably painful. Like removing a band aid. It would be best for all involved.

Thankfully, it never came to such a depressing end. I can now happily report that hip hop is not dead, my relationship to her has just changed. Hip hop has also evolved, and now has more room for my generation. It is not only about us celebrating what hip hop was, but reflecting on and looking to its future. Some recent releases further highlighted my hope for hip hop for the over 30 set. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the two most anticipated albums of the fall, Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 and Raekwon’s follow-up to his seminal work Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, which gave me renewed optimism. Frankly, besides his track with Alicia Keys and his two singles, it felt that Jay was going through the motions. His passion, or at least his sense of competition, appeared gone, long replaced by the business need for commercial success and relevance.

My feelings about Raekwon’s album are a bit more complex. I knew that it would be impossible to top Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, and the long delays of the album’s release further heightened the sense of anticipation. Overall, I think it was a good album, but that it just suffered from letdown syndrome. I appreciated the effort, given the immense pressure he must have been facing, but I left wanting more. It was satisfactory, just not life-altering. I had no sense of pure ecstasy after listening to it. Basically, it wasn’t Illmatic, Enter the Wu-Tang 36 Chambers, 3 Feet High and Rising, or Only Built 4 Cuban Linx I. That is not a criticism, it’s just the reality. It’s like A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders (great) vs. Beats, Rhymes and Life (good). Good, but not great.

On the other hand, it was Raekwon’s fellow Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah who created an album that showcased hip hop for grown folks. Ghostdini Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City is Ghost’s so called R & B album, and I think a vastly underrated one. I believed that it is actually the reflection of his personal growth and development, and represents what cats of my generation discuss. Relationships, children, transitions, back in the day times, all in Ghost’s unique style. From asking for a second chance (“Do Over”) to thinking about a love lost (“Lonely”), it also demonstrates a level of vulnerability not often found in mainstream hip hop. While the songs may not be cookie cutter, radio-friendly, it is a complete album. Definitely a must listen and the perfect example of mature hip hop.

The other album which blew me away and reflected my new relationship with hip hop is M.O.P.’s Foundation. Yes, those fellas from Brownsville created a gem. I always appreciated M.O.P.’s ability to get my adrenaline flowing, imagining their criminal hijinks on St. Mark’s Ave. and being pumped up vicariously through it. Grimy, the way I like it. Unfortunately, I gave up on them once they signed with G Unit, fearing they would be lost under the weight of 50’s huge shadow and ego, watered down into oblivion. Well, with Foundation, they have sounded the alarm that they are back, and with a vengeance. Taking the independent record route (E1/Koch Records), M.O.P. seems revitalized and accepting of their place in the game. They are still spinning tales of their Brownsville hard knock life, but with a more nuanced perspective, and even some social commentary thrown into the mix. Like Billy Danze’s lyrics from “Forever and Always”:

I never thought I’d come out of the hallway
To focus and become a commodity some day
While stricken by poverty, sitting in gunplay
Forever and always
Perfecting the grind
While trying to become one of those expected to shine

and

Yeah, we do what we do, but somehow it’s their fault,
Here’s the fatal attraction, they got us caged in,
They offered us magnums and asked us not to blaze’em,
Tell’em I ain’t sinning for them no more,
I’ll sin if I gotta sin, but I’m more into winning the war

I now understand that my hip hop won’t be found on the radio. She has migrated to Itunes and benefits from word of mouth communication and the blogosphere. My hip hop is about how to retain our youthful vigor and enthusiasm, without being childish and immature. My hip hop isn’t about “keeping it real,” it’s about authenticity. My hip hop will never die, but will learn to grow old gracefully. I have come to terms with this change, and am excited about the possibilities.

Civics Education and You: The Case for Green Jobs and Change

Civics Education and You: The Case for Green Jobs and Change

New York City (September 18): After the recent elections, I received my first piece of post-Primary Day campaign literature….and I dutifully discarded it. Check that candidate off my voting list!

Flashback (July): Day 1- My mailbox is filled with flyers from a slew of candidates in all shapes and colors. Blue. Green. Square. Rectangular. Oblong. I take a quick peek at them all…and promptly throw them out. I’ve already reviewed the candidates and their positions by reading the New York Times, the Daily News, and their own websites. Cardboard ads with meaningless endorsements will not sway me.

(Mid-July) Day 2- More campaign literature stuffed into my poor, unsuspecting mailbox. Slightly annoyed, I think to myself “Who believes this campaign strategy of inundating people with clichéd flyers actually works? and “I wonder if there is a “do not send me campaign literature” registry for which I can sign up?”

(August) Day 22- I have been sent the same pieces of campaign information by the same set of candidates for the last three weeks. Increasingly annoyed, a variety of thoughts race through my mind: I wonder if I can send all this literature to the candidates’ homes. I am sure they would love that. Isn’t there a genuine “green” candidate who could simply send me his or her information via email instead of wasting so much paper? I have a sneaking suspicion that homes in East New York and Brownsville are not being flooded with so much political education materials. Most of these flyers don’t even state the candidates’ positions but instead offer pronouncements from other perennial candidates. Do they even teach civics education in our public schools anymore?

And then it came to me….Green jobs should start in the political campaign arena! As President Obama calls for more green job growth, this is the perfect opportunity. Green outreach coordinator sounds like a great position. How about green marketing manager? With New York’s unemployment rate now in the double digits, I am certain you can find plenty of qualified applicants. Instead of paying for the printing of all this campaign junk, you could hire a paperless campaign strategist with that money.

Oddly enough, my preferred candidates refrained from sending me piles of placards until about two weeks before the primary. I don’t know if it was due to their lack of funds or actual environmental sensibilities. At any rate, it was appreciated, and strengthened my resolve to vote for them.

(September 15- Primary Day): Amidst pathetic voter turnout, some City Council candidates were elected with about 30% of the vote. I’m no mathematician, but that would mean 70% of the electorate in that district DID NOT VOTE FOR YOU! That’s change we can believe in! While some politicians can be elected with less than a third of the vote, apparently the controller and public advocate positions are too important for such nonsense. So, runoff time it is! My adrenaline is flowing and I am pumped, as I anticipate the Sept. 29th faceoffs….and wait for my new set of campaign paper airplanes.